Exercise fan

ABSTRACT

This invention is a physical fitness system employing weighted feather-fan-like equipment in a feather fan dance routine to provide an enjoyable way for a person to achieve strength, endurance, and flexibility fitness, with special emphasis on upper body, arm, and shoulder work.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/565,427, filed Nov. 30, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention involves an exercise and fitness system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally recognized that physical fitness, including strength, endurance, and flexibility fitness are an important part of every person's general well-being. Because it is an activity which essentially is a lifetime commitment and involves considerable amounts of time and effort, it has been found helpful to attempt to make physical fitness activities enjoyable and pleasant.

One traditional direction was to incorporate the exercise directly into a performing art form such as classical ballet, and more recently, various other performing dance disciplines.

Another less performing-art direction is the incorporation of dance routines, including hip-hop, and Latin, and accompanying music, into an exercise regime in order to increase the enjoyment and entertainment function of the exercise. This has been extremely successful, especially for female exercisers.

What is needed in the spectrum of exercise routines is a system which not only develops all of the strength, endurance, and flexibility aspects of exercise, but also provides special emphasis on the flexibility and toning of the upper body, arms, and shoulders.

These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a system for encouraging and achieving physical fitness in an efficient and effective manner.

Another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a system for encouraging and achieving physical fitness in a way that also enhances confidence and self-esteem.

A further object of some embodiments of present invention is to provide a system for encouraging and achieving physical fitness that does not involve expensive and complex equipment.

It is another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a system for encouraging and achieving physical fitness that can be used in readily available facilities.

It is a further object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a system for encouraging and achieving physical fitness that is simple and easy to use.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a burlesque fan dance routine in which weights are added to the handle portion of the fan or fans in order to increase the upper body, arm, and shoulder exercise challenge of the routine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The character of the invention, however, may best be understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a typical pose which would be an element of a burlesque fan dance routine embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows the front side of a fan embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, including the hand of the exerciser positioned under a strap on the front side of the handle and with the palm against the handle.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up of the back side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, including a weight pocket, an interchangeable weight, and a strap with a snap to hold the weight in the pocket.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the back side of the handle of a second fan embodiment 2.

FIG. 7 shows a close-up of the back side of the handle of the second fan embodiment, including the hand of the exerciser positioned under a strap on the front side of the handle and with the palm against the strap, and the fingers wrapped around the strap.

FIG. 8 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the second embodiment 2, including a weight pocket, an interchangeable weight, and a strap with a snap to hold the weight in the pocket.

FIG. 9 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in which a hand is in a glove, and the glove contains a weight in a weight pocket.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in which a hand has a weighted bracelet around it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The fitness system of this invention, designated as numeral 10, incorporates the type of fan dance routine that has roots in classical dance routines of numerous far eastern cultures. More preferably, the system incorporates the type of burlesque fan dance routine made famous by actress-dancer Sally Rand during her performances at the 1934 Chicago world's fair. In that style of performance dancing, Ms. Rand conducted a lyrical dance routine in which a large ostrich feather fan in each of her hands was constantly moving with respect to her body in order to achieve a highly entertaining visual effects.

In addition to the dance routine, this fitness system includes the two feather fans (or simulated feather fans), 11 and 12, with the modification that the fans are provided with the ability to be weighted at the handle 13 and 14 in order to increase the exercise challenge offered by employing the feather fans in the dance routine. It should be understood that the fans are mirror-imaged for the right and left hands of the user so only the right-hand side fan is generally shown, but the numbers for the left side follow each entry. This could also be accomplished by adding weights to the exerciser's hands, by, for example, having the exerciser 15 wear weighted bracelets 16 and 17 on each wrist, or having the exerciser wear weighted gloves 18 and 19 on each hand.

Preferably, the weight system 21 and 22 would allow weights 23 and 24 to be added to the fan handle from 1 pound to 5 pounds, in 1 pound increments.

Traditionally, the fan handle is a plate that can be grasped between the user's thumb and fingers. Because the added weights 23 and 24 would make securely holding the fan 11 and 12 more difficult, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the handles would be provided with an enhanced grasping systems 25 and 26 , for example, a strap 27 and 28 that go over the back of each of the exerciser's hand 29 and 31, to improve the grip of the exerciser's hands 29 and 31 on the handles 13 and 14. A wrist strap 32 and 33, tethered to each fan handle might also be provided to keep the weighted fan 11 and 12 from falling to the floor.

FIG. 1 shows a typical pose which would be an element of a burlesque fan dance routine 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. The exerciser 15 would have a first fan 11 in her right hand and a second fan 12 in her left hand. The exerciser 15 would conduct a lyrical dance routine in which the fans would be constantly moving with respect to her body in order to achieve a highly entertaining visual effects. In addition to the exercise of value of the dance routine itself, the weighted fans 11 and 12 would provide significant fitness resistance to enhance upper body, arm and shoulder strength, endurance, and flexibility.

FIG. 2 shows the front side of a fan 11 embodying the principles of the present invention, particularly showing the handle 13 with a stabilizing strap 27, and the plurality of ostrich feathers 34 with their shafts 35 connected to the handle and the feathers extending radially from the handle 13.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle 13 of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2 particularly showing the stabilizing strap 27.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, including the hand 29 of the exerciser 15 positioned under a strap 27 and 28 on the front side (away from the exerciser) of the handle 13 and with the palm of the exerciser's hand 29 against the handle 13.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up of the back side of the handle 13 of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, including a weight pocket 36 and 37, an interchangeable weight 23 and 24, and a strap 41 and 42 with a snap 43 and 44 to hold the weigh 23 and 24 in the pocket 36 and 37. The weight 23 and 24 would be shaped to snugly and securely fit into the weight pocket 36 and 37 and to be held in that pocket by the strap 41 and 42 and it's incorporated snap 43 and 44, which can be fastened to the upper edge of the pocket. The strap 41 and 42 can be unconnected to allow the weights of various weight to be interchanged to increase or reduce the fitness challenge created by the fans 11 and 12.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the back side (toward from the exerciser) of the handle 13 a and 14 a of a second fan embodiment 11 a and 12 a, including a holding strap 27 a and 28 a.

FIG. 7 shows a close-up of the back side of the handle 13 a and 14 a of the second fan embodiment, including the hand 29 and 30 of the exerciser 15 positioned under a strap 27 a and 28 a on the back side of the handle and with the palm against the strap 27 a and 28 a, and the fingers wrapped around the strap 27 a and 28 a.

FIG. 8 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the second embodiment, including a weight pocket 36 a and 37 a, an interchangeable weight 23 a and 24 a, and a strap 41 a and 42 a with a snap 43 a and 44 a to hold the weight 23 a and 24 a in the pocket 36 a and 37 a.

FIG. 9 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, including the hand 29 and 32 of the exerciser 15 positioned under a strap 27 and 28 on the front side (away from the exerciser) of the handle 13 and 14 with the palm of the exerciser's hand 29 and 31 against the handle 13 and 14. The hand 29 and 31 is in a glove 51 and 52, and the glove 51 and 52 contains a weight 53 and 54 in a weight pocket 55 and 56.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up of the front side of the handle of the fan embodiment shown in FIG. 2, including the hand 29 and 32 of the exerciser 15 positioned under a strap 27 and 28 on the front side (away from the exerciser) of the handle 13 and 14 with the palm of the exerciser's hand 29 and 31 against the handle 13 and 14. The hand 29 and 31 has a weighted bracelet 57 and 58 around it.

The fans of the present invention can take a large number of forms and incorporate various ranges of parameters. Basically, the fan includes a handle, adapted to allow the fan to be held by the exerciser, and a sail, which is a large surface area, relatively light weight, thin element that is adapted to allow the exerciser to conceal or obscure selected parts of the exerciser's body, as part of the exercise routine. The handle preferably includes purchase enhancement means, such as holding straps or holding rings or glove elements, that allowed the exerciser to continuously and consistently hold the fan, even while it is weighted.

The handle also includes a device for including and/or adding exercise weight to the fan, such as a pocket or straps or fasteners that allow weight elements to be attached to the handle.

The sail can be formed of flexible ribs covered with paper or other sheet material, following the Oriental tradition. It also can be formed of feathers and particularly ostrich feathers. It can also be formed of artificial materials including artificial feathers, particularly those capable of being cleaned while still retaining their aesthetic benefits.

The fan itself will have a surface area of at least 1 ft.² and can be as large as 15 ft.², and preferably 4 ft.² to 8 ft.²

The fan, without the exercise weights, would typically be less than 2 pounds, and the exercise weights could add additional weight beyond that necessary to construct the fan itself. The additional exercise weight could be as low as half a pound but would preferably be available in 1 pound increments from 1 to 5 pounds.

The weights could also be attached to the exerciser s wrists, instead of directly to the handle. This could be accomplished by, for example, weighted bracelet.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed. 

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. An exercise device, comprising: a. a handle, b. a high area fans surface attached to the handle and extending from one side of the handle, and c. a weight system adapted to add weight to the fan.
 2. An exercise devise as recited in claim 1, wherein the weight system is adapted to add weight to the handle.
 3. An exercise devise as recited in claim 1, wherein the weight system is adapted to add varying amounts of weight to the fan.
 4. An exercise devise as recited in claim 1, wherein the weight system is adapted to add varying amounts of weight to the handle.
 5. An exercise devise as recited in claim 1, wherein the weight system includes a pocket on the handle, the pocket being capable of holding various amounts of weight.
 6. An exercise devise as recited in claim 1, wherein the weight system includes a closure associated with the pocket on the handle, the closure being capable of securing weight in the pocket.
 7. An exercise devise as recited in claim 5, wherein the weight system includes a releasable closure associated with the pocket on the handle, the releasable closure being capable of selectively securing weight in the pocket.
 8. An exercise devise as recited in claim 1, wherein a grasp enhancement system is associated with the handle.
 9. An exercise devise as recited in claim 8, wherein the grasp enhancement system includes a strap positioned on the handle so that the handle and strap encircle a user's hand.
 10. An exercise devise kit, comprising a. a handle, b. a high area fans surface attached to the handle and extending from one side of the handle, and c. a weight system adapted to be used with and to add weight to the combination of the handle, the fan and a user's hand.
 11. An exercise devise kit, as recited in claim 10, wherein the weight system includes weights from 1 to 5 pounds in one pound increments.
 12. An exercise system, comprising: a. conducting a fan dance exercise routine using two fans with handles, and b. in which a weight system us used so that the fans are weighted to increase the exercise resistance offered by them.
 13. An exercise devise as recited in claim 12, wherein the weight system is adapted to add weight to the handle.
 14. An exercise devise as recited in claim 12, wherein the weight system is adapted to add varying amounts of weight to the fan.
 15. An exercise devise as recited in claim 12, wherein the weight system is adapted to add varying amounts of weight to the handle.
 16. An exercise devise as recited in claim 12, wherein the weight system includes a pocket on the handle, the pocket being capable of holding various amounts of weight.
 17. An exercise devise as recited in claim 16, wherein the weight system includes a closure associated with the pocket on the handle, the closure being capable of securing weight in the pocket.
 18. An exercise devise as recited in claim 16, wherein the weight system includes a releasable closure associated with the pocket on the handle, the releasable closure being capable of selectively securing weight in the pocket.
 19. An exercise devise as recited in claim 12, wherein a grasp enhancement system is associated with the handle.
 20. An exercise devise as recited in claim 19, wherein the grasp enhancement system includes a strap positioned on the handle so that the handle and strap encircle a user's hand. 